Collapsible ironing table construction



United States Patent O 3,152,5e1 CULLAPSlBUE IRONING TABLE CNSTRUCTEGN Donald il. Munson and Kenniei B. lander, Minneapolis, Minn., assignors to The E. R. Clar-lr Company, Spring Park, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Filed Nov. 27, 1962, Ser. No. 240,362 6 Ciaims. (Cl. 10S- 117) This invention relates generally to ironing tables and more particularly concerns the means for slidably connecting a leg or the like to the table top.

In conventional ironing table construction a pair of leg units are hingedly connected to the table top for swinging movement between a collapsed position against the underside of the top and an erect position to support the top at an operative elevation over a supporting floor surface. Moreover, to adequately accomplish conversion between the collapsed and erect positions at least one of the leg unit hinge connections is made to be slidable longitudinally along the top or board toward or away from the other hinge connection.

A primary object of the invention is to provide construction for slidably connecting a leg to an ironing table in which the leg is mounted directly on the top structure without the use of any supplementary guideway means.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ironing table having a slidable pivot connection between the table top and a supporting leg thereof which connection is completely recessed within the underside of the top to eliminate any protrusions which might damage or soil garments subjected to the ironing process on the table.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ironing table having an elongated top with a guideway extending along the entire length of the top to accommodate any slide movement requirements on the underside of the table.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an ironing table with a guideway on the underside of the top for receiving the slidable upper end of a table leg or the like and which guideway is so mounted on the top as to remain in constant alignment for smooth operation of the slidable member without any binding or squeaking.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ironing table top structure with guideway means integrally incorporated into the longitudinal ribs supporting the top sheet for slidably mounting a table leg.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an ironing table with a novel construction for a sliding leg pivot for adjusting the height of the table and Which gives uniform support strength at all positions of adjustment.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a sliding pivot connection between the top and leg of an ironing table which is extremely durable and economical to manufacture.

The above and still additional objects of the invention will be brought to light during the course of the following specification, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which- FIG. 1 is a side elevation of an ironing table embodying the present invention in erect condition over a supporting surface, the legs thereof shown in broken lines in a secondary position to support the table top at a lower elevation.

FIG. 2 is an inverted plan View of the table top showing the leg connections to the top with the legs in erected condition.

FiG. 3 is a vertical section taken transversely through the top along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken longitudinally through a portion of the top along line 4 4 of FIG. 3.

3,152,551 Patented Oct. 13, 1964 ICC With the above mentioned objects in mind the invention generally comprises the providing of an elongated ironing table top formed of thin sheet material surrounded by a peripheral depending rim with parallel ribs extending longitudinally under and in engagement with the top sheet and within the rim to support the sheet, the ribs having slots extending longitudinally thereof, and a slide member having portions engaged in said slots for sliding movement of such member longitudinally under the top, said slide member having connection with the upper end of a table support leg, and there being a locking means for locking the slide member at Various positions along the ribs.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing reference numerals will be used to denote like parts or structural features in the different views. The number 10 designates generally an ironing table of relatively conventional design having a at elongated top 11 supported by intercrossing front and rear legs designated at 12 and 14 respectively. The legs are pivotally interconnected at their point of intercrossing by pivot pin 15. At their lower ends the front and rear'legs respectively carry cross feet 16 and 17 for lateral stability of the table. The legs are relatively movable about their interpivot 15 and their respective connections with the top 11 between an erected position shown and a collapsed position against the underside of the top and various intermediate positions (one of which is shown in broken lines) to adjust the table height.

The top 11 is preferably formed of perforate sheet metal material such as the expanded metal shown in the drawing. The top sheet 18 is surrounded by a peripheral rim 19 which depends from the edge of the sheet leaving a downwardly opening recess on the underside of the top. To strengthen the top sheet 18 against the ironing pressures imposed thereon a pair of elongated ribs designated generally at 20 and 21 extend longitudinally along the underside of the sheet in side by side parallelism from one end to the other of the top. These ribs, which will be later described in greater detail, are spot welded at various points along the underside of sheet 18 and have their rear ends integrally connected as by Welding at points 22 to the marginal rim 19.

Rear, center and front cross bars denoted respectively at 23, 25 and 27 extend transversely across the underside of the top, each having its ends connected to the rim 19 as denoted at 24, 26 and 28. These cross bars serve to give the rim 19 lateral rigidity and actually extend just under and engage the longitudinal ribs 2t) and 21. Thus, the top sheet 18, rim 19, ribs 20 and 21 and the bars 23, 25 and 27 are all integrally related to present a strong and rigid top structure for withstanding the pressures imposed thereon during the ironing operation.

A cross piece 29 is rigidly mounted on the upper end of the front leg 12 and this piece is suitably hinged as at 30' to the rear cross bar 23 for swinging movement of the leg on a transverse axis.

The front cross bar 27 has an upwardly opening channel shape in cross section and the side walls of the channel are provided with aligned openings which jointly receive a locking bar 32 for longitudinal sliding movement through the bar 27. The locking bar is provided with a series of apertures 34 along one edge thereof which serve as catches. A latch extends along the channel of bar 27 and is pivoted to the channel walls for limited movement about an axis extending lengthwise of the top. The latch has an operating handle 35 at one end and an upwardly projecting latch tooth at the other end engageable with the locking bar apertures 34 to lock the bar 32 against forward sliding movement. A spring is held under compression between the bottom channel wall of bar 27 and the latch 35 intermediate the pivot and tooth to yieldably urge the L, tooth upwardly into engagement with the slidable locking bar. The latch tooth is beveled to allow the locking bar 32 to slide freely therealong in a rearward direction but to be caught by the tooth when moving forwardly unless handle 35 has been manually depressed to move the tooth end thereof downwardly out of engagement with the bar 32. lt will, accordingly, be understood that when the latch handle 3S is pressed toward the top sheet 18 the locking bar 32 is freely slidable in either direction through the openings in bar 27. On the other hand, when the latch is left uncontrolled the bar 32 is freely slidable in a rearward direction, toward bar 25, but will be locked against movement in a forward direction by the latch tooth engaging in one of the locking bar openings 34.

Returning now to the ribs 2% and 21 they will be described in greater detail with attention being directed to FIG. 3. The ribs are reversely identical, each being formed in cross section with a U-shaped channel portion 40 with the side walls thereof terminating in outwardly directed flanges 41 adapted for flush engagement against the bottom surface of the top sheet 18. These ianges are spot welded to the sheet 18 at points spaced longitudinally therealong. The inner or facing walls 42 of rib channels are each formed with a groove 44 therein opening inwardly. These grooves extend the length of the rib and are relatively narrow and deep, as shown, with the two grooves horizontally opposing each other on a plane parallel to the plane of sheet 13. It will thus be understood that each rib 2t) or 21 is uniform in cross section throughout its length.

A slide member, designated generally at 45, is positioned between the ribs 20 and 21 and has laterally projecting tongue portions 46 and 47 respectively projecting into the grooves 44 of the ribs 28 and 21. This slide is centrally connected at 4S with the rear end of the locking bar 32 for longitudinal movement therewith. The rear leg 14 has a cross member 49 integrally secured to its upper end which member 49 is hingedly connected at 5t) to the slide 45 for swinging movement of the leg about a transverse axis parallel to the axes of pivot 15 and hinge 39.

The table is normally stored with the top in upright position and the legs collapsed against the underside thereof. When the table is in collapsed condition, the slide 45 and locking bar 32 are in forwardmost position, with the slide resting close to the cross bar 27. In erecting the table the legs 12 and 14 are swung outwardly away from the top about their respective hinge connections and slide 45 will move rearwardly along the ribs 28 and 21 until the desired top elevation is reached, the latch operated by handle 35 engaging bar 32 to lock the legs against return movement. When the operator desires to again collapse the table the latch handle 35 is pressed swinging the latch tooth from the path of movement of the locking bar and the legs may be folded against the underside of the top.

In either the erecting or the collapsing operation it is important that the slide member carrying the rear leg pivot rnove smoothly along the underside of the top. In this construction the slide moves along a fixed unyielding track provided by the ribs and 21. Due to the rigidity of the track or guide structure there is no tendency for the slide to twist or bend in the track. The movement is smooth and noiseless. Moreover, the entire slide and track assembly is disposed upwardly within the recess provided by the marginal rim 19, thus eliminating any protruding slide elements upon which garments could be damaged by tearing or lubricant soiling.

Ribs 20 and 21 thus not only serve to strengthen the top structure but provide a constantly aligned guideway for the movable leg pivot or any other desired slide movement requirements along the underside of the top. Inasmuch as the rib construction eliminates the necessity of supplementary guide means structure, there is a significant saving in manufacturing costs.

The novel construction accordingly economically and effectively carries out the aforementioned objectives. it is understood that suitable modifications may be made in the structure as disclosed, provided such modifications come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Having now therefore fully illustrated and described our invention, what we claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. In an ironing table top formed of a fiat sheet of metal material surrounded by a peripheral rim, a pair of elongated rib members connected to the rim and extending in transversely spaced parallelism longitudinally along the underside of the top sheet for substantially the length thereof in flush engagement therewith to support the sheet against ironing pressure imposed thereupon, said ribs having elongated slots extending lengthwise for the entire length thereof to jointly form a guideway parallel to the top sheet for slidable attachment of another member to the top.

2. An ironing table top formed of a flat horizontal sheet of thin metal having a marginal depending flange forming a downwardly opening recess on the underside of the top, a pair of elongated ribs extending longitudinally under said sheet in contact therewith and being connected to the sheet and to the flange, said ribs having guide tracks formed therein extending longitudinally and said ribs and tracks being disposed entirely within said recess.

3. An ironing table top comprising an elongated top sheet of thin metal material surrounded by a peripheral rim, a pair of elongated ribs extending in parallelism longitudinally along the top sheet having their end portions secured to the rim and their medial portions secured to the top sheet to provide a unitary top structure, and said ribs having slots therein extending longitudinally of the ribs to jointly provide a gnideway for slidable connection of another member to the top.

4. The subject matter of claim 3 wherein each rib is formed of an elongated channel member having a U- shape in cross section with substantially parallel side walls, each said side wall having a flange along its free edge with said franges lying in a common plane for ilat- Wise attachment of the flanges against the sheet, and said slots being provided in the channel side walls.

5. The subject matter of claim 4 wherein the slots are in the inner walls of the channels to open toward each other on a common plane parallel to the plane of the sheet.

6. An ironing table top comprising an elongated llat top sheet of t ,in metal material, a pair of elongated chan- .el members arranged in parallelism along one side of the sheet for substantially the entire length thereof with the open sides of the channels facing the sheet, each channel having an outer side wall disposed substantially perpendicular to the sheet, said outer walls having flanges along their free edges lying on a common plane parallel to the plane of the sheet for flatwise attachment of the ianges against the sheet and being so attached to the sheet at longitudinally spaced points throughout their extension, each channel member having an inner side wall, means forming a groove in each inner side wail extending longitudinally thereof, said grooves lying parallel and opening toward each other for joint slidaole reception of another element.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,663,101 Olander Dec. 22, 1953 2,746,184 Davis May 22, 1956 2,767,493 Wagner Oct. 23, 1956 2,812,599 Hyams et al. Nov. 12, 1957 2,873,543 Lentz Feb, 17, 1959 2,896,347 Hortman July 28, 1959 2,968,059 Munson Jan, 17, 1961 

1. IN AN IRONING TABLE TOP FORMED OF A FLAT SHEET OF METAL MATERIAL SURROUNDED BY A PERIPHERAL RIM, A PAIR OF ELONGATED RIB MEMBERS CONNECTED TO THE RIM AND EXTENDING IN TRANSVERSELY SPACED PARALLELISM LONGITUDINALLY ALONG THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TOP SHEET FOR SUBSTANTIALLY THE LENGTH THEREOF IN FLUSH ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH TO SUPPORT THE SHEET AGAINST IRONING PRESSURE IMPOSED THEREUPON, SAID RIBS HAVING ELONGATED SLOTS EXTENDING LENGTHWISE FOR THE ENTIRE LENGTH THEREOF TO JOINTLY FORM A GUIDEWAY PARALLEL TO THE TOP SHEET FOR SLIDABLE ATTACHMENT OF ANOTHER MEMBER TO THE TOP. 